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Toronto Raptors: 3 takeaways from thrilling Game 7 win vs. 76ers

By Jonathan Turco

TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 12: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors reacts after defeating the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on May 12, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - MAY 12: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors reacts after defeating the Philadelphia 76ers in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on May 12, 2019 at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images /

3. Defense and rebounds

If you like smooth offensive possessions, Sunday night’s game wasn’t the one for you. The Toronto Raptors win was a slow, grind-it-out affair in a battle of defenses. In three of the Raptors’ four wins, they evenly or out-rebounded the Sixers.

That trend continued in Game 7, as the Raptors out rebounded the Sixers 49-41, including 16-5 on the offensive glass. One part of the reason for the surge on the offensive glass was from the team’s poor shooting night — 34-for-89 from the field and 7-for-30 from deep. Another part was the effort and determination to collect the loose balls off misses. Every player for Toronto who played had at least one offensive rebound, which led to 12 second chance points. Leonard and Ibaka each collected a team-high four boards on the offensive end.

On the defensive side on the court, the team had 10 steals and four blocks that helped create 17 turnovers for 21 points. They held their opponent to 28-of-65 shooting and 9-of-27 shooting from deep, contesting the majority of their shots. The team’s defense was active all night, and in the final stretches of the game, it was key for the Raptors’ win.

The Raptors have done a great job to consistently be active on the defensive end. It has been their identity throughout the playoffs as one of the best defensive teams. They currently have the second-best defensive efficiency rating (100.3), the most deflections (15.3 per game) and the third-most steals (8.3 per game). When Toronto is able to get shots to fall, while continuing its dominant defensive output, this team is an extremely tough opponent to play.